Garioch Gators
 
In the early 1990s, three special needs swimmers swam for the main Garioch swimming club in the same sessions as their siblings, though the siblings moved through the club further and faster.  Slowly more special needs swimmers joined GASC, and as their one dedicated lane became four, Gators moved to their own session on Sundays.  Currently Garioch Gators have around fifteen swimmers aged from their teens to their late forties!
 
Special needs swimmers have a slightly different system to main club swimming: they swim in time bands, not age bands, and in certain classifications, which provide a structure for competition.  Athletes competing in Paralympic sports have an impairment that leads to a competitive disadvantage in sport, which means a system needs to be in place to minimise the impact of impairments on sport performance. This will also ensure that the success of an athlete is determined by their skill, fitness, power, endurance, tactical ability and mental focus. 
 
There are three types of classification in paralympic sports: physical (S1-S10), visual (S11-S13) and intellectual (S14).  More information on classifications can be found here.
 
Garioch Gators take part in five swim galas a year which involve learning, physical and sensory disabilities.  These include:
  • Mary Duncan held in Aberdeenshire for all ages and disabilities, and
  • Norma Buist held in Aberdeen for school age swimmers.
Both of the above events are qualifying events for:
  • Scottish Schools Championships, and
  • Scottish Senior Championships.
Gators also attend:
  • Dundee Discovery Games 
Several Gators swimmers have attended the Special Olympics events over many years with great success and two have also achieved places at the Para-Olympics having moved on to Pathway training.
 
Gators currently train every Friday evening from 7:30-8:30pm in Inverurie Community Campus.  If you are of Secondary age, can swim at least one length of a recognised stroke without support, and are interested in finding out more about special needs swimming, please contact [email protected]
 
We are also always on the look out for more coaches / poolside support, so if you are able to help with that in any capacity, please get in touch with our Club Secretary Aaron Dent on [email protected]
 
If you are interested in finding out more about Scottish Swimming and Disability Sports, please click here.